The school was placed in lockdown for around an hour as police scoured the grounds to locate the shooter.

Teacher at King James's School wearing a stab vest (Image: Huddersfield Examiner)

The photo was sent to the Examiner tonight.

It is understood the teacher had the vest in his personal belongings and only wore it for a few minutes during the early stages of the lockdown.

Headteacher Ian Rimmer said he was not aware that a member of staff had donned a stab vest during the incident and said the use of such items did not form part of the school’s official lockdown policy.

He said: “We do not have stab vests in school and it’s not part of our lockdown policy.”

The school was sharply criticised by some parents for what they felt was poor communication about the incident. Some took their children out of school after they complained of being frightened by what had happened.

Anthony Peel said: “I cannot praise the staff, at King James School, highly enough for their very efficient and speedy lockdown of the school when there was imminent danger to themselves and their pupils. Well done.”

Police were called to reports of criminal damage at the school, on St Helen’s Gate, at around 9.50am. A spokesperson said a window had been damaged in the incident, with initial reports suggesting the damage had been caused by a pellet gun.

In a text to parents Mr Rimmer said: “No need for concern, but the school is in lockdown as a safety precaution following an incident. Children are safe in rooms. Please do not contact school.”

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However, parents who gathered at the school gates were unhappy with the school’s response.

Ashley Davies from Waterloo whose 13-year-old son is a pupil, said: “When I arrived the road was mayhem. There were 40 or 50 parents outside. They were all quite anxious. They were all talking about taking their children home.

“I heard two rumours: that someone had a gun and someone had a knife.”